Writing Career Training Choices

Can you learn to write well?

Can you really train to be a good writer, or are good writers born, not made? And if you can build your skills... what's the best way to do it?

First, let's make one thing clear: yes, you can polish your writing skills. Just about anybody can do that, unless they have a learning disability that makes this really difficult. Assuming that you have an average or better level of writing ability, though, you can most certainly improve your technique. The question is... what's the best way to do this? We'll look at the various options.

1. A college or university course.

Ask yourself why you need a degree as part of your writer's training. Do you want to go on to teach writing? Do you want to apply for a job as a journalist? Or do you just want credibility?

All college/university courses are not equal. Some Fine Arts courses, for example, will see you doing critiques of the work of many 'notable' writers. You'll also be handing in work of your own to be assessed. However, the interests and prejudices of the lecturer or tutor may influence the reaction to your work. Of course this holds true for any writing course you do... but three or four years is a big investment of time (and money) if you're not sure that a tertiary training course is for you.

Keep in mind that if you cannot handle the requirements, you might not get your degree and the years spent trying would be wasted. On the other hand, you could receive a nationally recognized and accredited degree in the major of your choice. Is this important or necessary? Only you can decide. The main thing for you to guard against is taking on a long degree course like this just because of the perceived 'kudos' for being able to put letters after your name. Will it really help you to get the kind of writing career you want?

Look at the options carefully, analyze exactly what you'll be getting out of the course, and also make very sure you know what will be asked of you, before you sign away years of your life.

2. Short Courses, Residential Retreats, Workshops and Seminars

These can offer you training in a variety of writing styles and genres. You can sign up for a 10-day writer's retreat or a weekend workshop; a ten-week course at night school or a seminar featuring successful authors and agents. Not sure which genre is for you? Go to a Romance Writing Seminar in one month then a workshop on Writing For Children in another - or try a once-monthly meeting for Crime Writers. Sample a little of everything to see what 'sticks'.

Join your state writer's association and check out the courses that are available, as well as keeping an eye on the local paper for courses in your area. This is an excellent way to meet other writers and to hone your skills.

3. Online schools or Mentorship Programs.

Some people will choose to go about their writing career training by enrolling in online schools/workshops. These types of career training courses are completed at home, and suit many people because you can log on at any time of the day that it suits (ideal for mothers with small children or people who have demanding jobs outside the home.) Not all of these courses have exams or assessments of any kind... some are just straight-out training. If there are exams, they may be done online or on campus.

If you undertake an online course or mentorship program, under the guidance of an experienced writer, it will largely be up to you to keep up with any deadlines or course work. Resolve to be very organized with your time management for the duration of the program. The same holds for correspondence courses.

4. Correspondence Courses.

Another choice for your career training as a writer is to go through correspondence courses that send you study materials through the mail. The exams (if any) are often open book and at home. Assessments will vary from pass/fail to an A/B/C/D type of grading system.

The degrees or diplomas offered are sometimes recognized by other institutions for articulation into other courses, but not always. However, as a writer, your main concern should be "Will this help me to gain the skills I need for a viable writing career?" All that you need in order to set a correspondence course in motion is an address to send it to, plus probably in this day and age, a computer and printer. (Or at least access to a computer and printer - many libraries offer this.)

5. Self-Education Through Books, Magazines, and Online Articles

The internet is huge. You should be able to find advice on just about any aspect of writing that is giving you trouble. In addition, look in libraries and book stores for further books and magazines to help. The main problem with this method is that you're not getting any feedback on how you are progressing. If you can blend self-education with membership of a writers' group (a real meeting or one in cyberspace) where you can swap work for critiquing with others, then this method might work well for you.